[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 29, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H1028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        WOMEN'S HEALTH WEDNESDAY

  (Ms. CHU asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, today I'm thinking about the 99 percent of 
American women who have used birth control. Today, I'm thinking about 
the 98 percent of Catholic women who have used birth control.
  Birth control is a necessity for many women, and it is unfair that 
women have to pay 68 percent more for it in out-of-pocket costs than 
men because it is not covered by all health insurance plans.
  It is especially unfair to the women who use birth control pills to 
save their lives. In fact, these pills have prevented 200,000 ovarian 
cancers and 100,000 deaths.
  The nurses, secretaries, and janitors who work at religiously 
affiliated hospitals and universities should not have to pay more for 
their health care costs and be punished because of where they work. 
That's not fair. The Obama administration's policy changes this and is 
fair. It's about time that women get a break for all that they do to 
raise children in this world.

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